Radiation irradiation device

This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-210696, filed Dec. 27, 2022, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The present disclosure relates to a radiation irradiation device.

WO2018/159011A discloses a radiation irradiation device comprising a radiation generation unit that generates radiation, and a switch unit that controls emission of the radiation from the radiation generation unit. The radiation generation unit and the switch unit are composed of separate housings, and the radiation generation unit and the switch unit are configured to be attachable and detachable via a partial surface of each housing.

In this radiation irradiation device, it may be necessary for a user to perform work of checking an attachment/detachment state of a remote operation unit (switch unit in WO2018/159011A). For example, in order to prevent the remote operation unit from being lost, it is necessary to check that the remote operation unit is attached to a device main body before turning off a power of the radiation irradiation device. However, in handling the radiation irradiation device, the work of the user depending on the attachment/detachment state of the remote operation unit is a burden on the user.

The technology of the present disclosure provides a radiation irradiation device that can reduce the need to perform work depending on the attachment/detachment state of the remote operation unit and improve convenience.

A first aspect according to the technology of the present disclosure is a radiation irradiation device comprising: a device main body that emits radiation; a remote operation unit that is capable of remotely operating the device main body and is attachable to and detachable from the device main body; and a processor, in which the processor is configured to: detect an attachment/detachment state of the remote operation unit with respect to the device main body; and execute a control of an operation of the device main body according to the detected attachment/detachment state.

A second aspect according to the technology of the present disclosure is the radiation irradiation device according to the first aspect, in which the device main body includes a notification unit that gives a notification to a user, and the control includes causing the notification unit to give a notification regarding the attachment/detachment state.

A third aspect according to the technology of the present disclosure is the radiation irradiation device according to the second aspect, in which the control includes causing the notification unit to give a notification that the remote operation unit is not attached to the device main body in a case where an operation of stopping at least a part of functions of the device main body is performed in a state in which the remote operation unit is detached from the device main body.

A fourth aspect according to the technology of the present disclosure is the radiation irradiation device according to the third aspect, in which the operation of stopping at least a part of the functions of the device main body is an operation of turning off a power of the device main body.

A fifth aspect according to the technology of the present disclosure is the radiation irradiation device according to the second aspect, in which in a case where a surface of the device main body on which an irradiation window for emitting the radiation is provided is assumed as a front surface, the notification unit is a display provided on a rear surface which is a surface of the device main body opposite to the front surface.

A sixth aspect according to the technology of the present disclosure is the radiation irradiation device according to the second aspect, in which the notification unit is a display lamp that protrudes outward from an outer peripheral surface of the device main body.

A seventh aspect according to the technology of the present disclosure is the radiation irradiation device according to the first aspect, in which in a case where pairing for causing the device main body and the remote operation unit to be recognized as communication partners is necessary prior to wireless communication, the control includes starting the pairing in a case where it is determined that the remote operation unit is attached to the device main body.

An eighth aspect according to the technology of the present disclosure is the radiation irradiation device according to the first aspect, in which the processor is configured to, in a case where an irradiation start instruction that is an instruction to start irradiation with the radiation is input from the remote operation unit, execute, as the control, a control related to the irradiation.

A ninth aspect according to the technology of the present disclosure is the radiation irradiation device according to the eighth aspect, in which the control related to the irradiation includes prohibiting the irradiation with the radiation by the device main body or issuing a warning as to whether the irradiation with the radiation is allowed in a case where the remote operation unit is attached to the device main body.

A tenth aspect according to the technology of the present disclosure is the radiation irradiation device according to the eighth aspect, in which the control related to the irradiation includes permitting the irradiation with the radiation by the device main body in a case where the remote operation unit is detached from the device main body.

An eleventh aspect according to the technology of the present disclosure is the radiation irradiation device according to the first aspect, in which the control includes starting preparation for irradiation with the radiation in a case where the remote operation unit is detached from the device main body.

A twelfth aspect according to the technology of the present disclosure is the radiation irradiation device according to the first aspect, in which the processor is configured to: derive a communication distance between the remote operation unit and the device main body based on a signal intensity received from the remote operation unit through wireless communication; and detect the attachment/detachment state based on the derived communication distance.

The technology of the present disclosure provides a radiation irradiation device that can reduce the need to perform work depending on the attachment/detachment state of the remote operation unit and improve convenience.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

In the following description, for convenience of explanation, a height direction, a width direction, and a front-rear direction (also referred to as a depth direction) of a radiation irradiation deviceare indicated by three arrows X, Y, and Z. First, the height direction is indicated by the arrow Z, an arrow Z direction pointed by the arrow Z is an upward direction of the radiation irradiation device, and an opposite direction of the upward direction is a downward direction. The height direction is a vertical direction. The width direction is indicated by the arrow X orthogonal to the arrow Z, a direction pointed by the arrow X is a right direction of the radiation irradiation device, and an opposite direction of the right direction is a left direction. The front-rear direction is indicated by the arrow Y orthogonal to the arrow Z and the arrow X, a direction pointed by the arrow Y is a front direction of the radiation irradiation device, and an opposite direction of the front direction is a rear direction. That is, in the radiation irradiation device, an emission direction of the radiation is the front direction, and a side on which a subject A stands (see) is the front direction. In addition, in the following, expressions using sides such as an upper side, a lower side, a left side, a right side, a front side, and a rear side have the same meanings as the expressions using the directions.

In the present embodiment, a “vertical direction” refers not only to a perfect vertical direction but also to a vertical direction in the sense of including an error that is generally acceptable in the technical field to which the technology of the present disclosure belongs and that does not contradict the concept of the technology of the present disclosure. The same applies to a “horizontal direction”. The “horizontal direction” refers not only to a perfect horizontal direction but also to a horizontal direction in the sense of including an error that is generally acceptable in the technical field to which the technology of the present disclosure belongs and that does not contradict the concept of the technology of the present disclosure.

As shown inas an example, the radiation irradiation devicecomprises a device main bodyand a remote operation unit. The device main bodyis a device that can irradiate the subject A with radiation R. The device main bodycomprises a radiation tube, which is a generation source of the radiation, inside thereof and emits the radiation (for example, X-rays or γ-rays) generated in the radiation tubetoward the subject A via an irradiation field limiter (see), an irradiation window (see), and the like. The radiation irradiation deviceis an example of a “radiation irradiation device” according to the technology of the present disclosure, the device main bodyis an example of a “device main body” according to the technology of the present disclosure, and the remote operation unitis an example of a “remote operation unit” according to the technology of the present disclosure. Here, the term “remote” means separation to the extent caused by physical separation, and does not mean an amount of distance.

The radiation irradiation devicehas a portable size and weight. That is, the radiation irradiation deviceis a portable radiation irradiation device. The radiation irradiation devicemay be used, for example, in a simple radiographic examination at a medical facility or may be used in a radiographic examination during home medical care. In addition, the radiation irradiation devicemay be used outdoors. For example, the radiation irradiation devicemay be used for an on-site medical care in a disaster-stricken area or a medically underserved area.

The device main bodyis set at a predetermined position (for example, height and distance) with respect to the subject A via, for example, a tripod. A fixing portionfor fixing the tripodand the device main bodyis provided on a lower surface of the device main body. The fixing portionis, for example, a screw hole. The fixing portionis located on a straight line L which is orthogonal to a central axis RA of a flux of the radiation R and passes through a focus F of the radiation tube. The radiation tubegenerates the radiation R, for example, by colliding electrons emitted from a cathode with a target. The focus F is a position where the electrons collide on the target. The flux of the radiation R spreads in a conical shape with the focus F as a base point. The central axis RA is a central axis of such a flux. The fixing portionis provided at a position where the straight line L and the lower surface of the device main bodyintersect. In the radiation irradiation device, a portion in which the focus F of the radiation tubeis located is close to a centroid. The fixing portionis provided on the straight line L, which makes it easy to stabilize the radiation irradiation deviceon the tripod.

The remote operation unitis a device that can remotely operate the device main body. The remote operation unitis attachable to and detachable from the device main body. The remote operation unitremotely operates the device main body, for example, by performing wireless communication with the device main body. The remote operation by the remote operation unitincludes, for example, an operation of causing the device main bodyto emit the radiation R toward the subject A.

A user B, who is an operator of the radiation irradiation device, takes out the remote operation unitfrom the device main bodyand then operates the remote operation unitin a state of being separated from the device main bodyby a predetermined distance. As a result, the radiation R is emitted from the radiation tubeof the device main bodyto the subject A. The radiation R transmitted through the subject A is detected by a detector. The detectoris, for example, a so-called flat panel detector, has a detection surface on which pixels are two-dimensionally arranged, and outputs an image signal corresponding to an intensity of the radiation R incident on each pixel. The radiation R is transmitted through the subject A to carry information regarding a body tissue of the subject A. The detectordetects the radiation R in each pixel of the detection surface to output an image signal representing a projection image of the body tissue of the subject A as a radiation image.

Further, the user B accommodates the remote operation unitin the device main bodyafter completing imaging using the radiation irradiation device. In a state in which the remote operation unitis accommodated in the device main body, the radiation irradiation deviceis carried by the user B or is stored in a storage case of the radiation irradiation device.

As shown inas an example, the device main bodyhas a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape having a longitudinal direction in a left-right direction. A tubular portionthat protrudes toward an emission direction of the radiation R is provided on a front surfaceA of the device main body. The front surfaceA is an example of a “front surface” according to the technology of the present disclosure. The irradiation field limiter (also called a collimator) and the irradiation window, which will be described later, are attached inside the tubular portion. Further, a skin guardis attached to a distal end of the tubular portion. The skin guardis used to ensure a necessary space between the device main bodyand the subject A, and prevents the subject A from being irradiated with the radiation R in a state in which the device main bodyis too close to the subject A.

An accommodation portionis provided on a rear surfaceB of the device main body. The accommodation portioncan attachably and detachably accommodate the remote operation unitin the rear surfaceB of the device main body. Specifically, the accommodation portionhas a recessed inner wall surface. In a state in which the remote operation unitis accommodated in the accommodation portion, the inner wall surfacefaces all surfaces of the remote operation unitexcept for a back surfaceB. As described above, the accommodation portionattachably and detachably accommodates the remote operation unit.

A displayis provided on the rear surfaceB of the device main body. The displaydisplays various types of information related to the radiography. The displaymay be, for example, a liquid crystal display or may be an electro-luminescence (EL) display. The displayis an example of a “notification unit” and a “display” according to the technology of the present disclosure. Further, a grip memberC is attached to a left side surface of the device main body. The user B grips the radiation irradiation devicevia the grip memberC.

The remote operation unithas a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape having a longitudinal direction in an up-down direction in a state of being accommodated in the device main body. The remote operation unithas an operation surfaceA and the back surfaceB. An irradiation buttonA and an imaging buttonB are provided on the operation surfaceA.

The irradiation buttonA is an operation button for giving an instruction for the irradiation with the radiation R. In a case where the irradiation buttonA is pressed by the user B, a signal for irradiating with the radiation R is output from the remote operation unitto the device main body. In addition, an optical camera(see) is built into the radiation irradiation device. The imaging buttonB is an operation button for giving an instruction for imaging by the optical camera. In a case where the imaging buttonB is pressed by the user B, a signal for causing the optical camera, which will be described later, to perform imaging is output from the remote operation unitto the device main body. The back surfaceB is a surface opposite to the operation surfaceA, and operation keys including the irradiation buttonA and the imaging buttonB are not provided on the back surfaceB.

Here, an example in which the irradiation buttonA and the imaging buttonB are buttons has been described, but this is merely an example. The irradiation buttonA and the imaging buttonB may be cursors, slide switches, or touch pads.

As shown inas an example, the tubular portionprotruding from the front surfaceA of the device main bodyhas an irradiation field limiterand an irradiation window. The irradiation field limiteris an irradiation field limiter that defines an irradiation range of the radiation R to a predetermined range. In addition, the irradiation windowis a window member that is made of a member transparent to the radiation R and partitions an outside and an inside of the tubular portion. The radiation R emitted from the radiation tubehas an irradiation range defined by the irradiation field limiterand is emitted from the irradiation window toward the subject A. Further, an optical camera(see) is provided in the tubular portion. The optical camerais, for example, an imaging device having an image sensor such as a charge coupled device (CCD) image sensor and a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor. Referencedenotes an imaging window that is a part of a lens of the optical camera. Image light of the subject A is incident on the image sensor in the optical camerathrough the imaging window. The optical cameraimages, for example, the subject A. An optical image of the imaged subject A is used, for example, to perform registration of an irradiation position of the radiation R.

As shown inas an example, the device main bodycomprises a control device. The control devicecontrols an overall operation of the device main body. The control devicecomprises a processor, a storage, a random access memory (RAM), and an external interface (I/F). The processor, the storage, the RAM, and the external I/Fare connected to a bus. The processoris an example of a “processor” according to the technology of the present disclosure.

A memory is connected to the processor. The memory includes the storageand the RAM. The processoris, for example, a central processing unit (CPU). The processormay be provided with a graphics processing unit (GPU) dedicated to image processing, separately from the CPU.

The storageis a non-volatile storage device that stores various programs, various parameters, and the like. Examples of the storageinclude a flash memory (for example, an electrically erasable and programmable read only memory (EEPROM) and a solid state drive (SSD)), and/or a hard disk drive (HDD). The flash memory and the HDD are merely an example, and at least one of the flash memory, the HDD, a magnetoresistive memory, or a ferroelectric memory may be used as the storage.

The RAMis a memory in which the information is transitorily stored, and is used as a work memory by the processor. Examples of the RAMinclude a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) and a static random access memory (SRAM).

The external I/Fis responsible for exchanging various types of information with devices present outside the control device. The external I/Fis communicably connected to the radiation tube, the display, and the optical camera. In addition, the external I/Fis connected to a wireless communication unitand a detection sensor, which are described below.

The device main bodycomprises the wireless communication unit. The wireless communication unitwirelessly communicates information including an operation instructionwith the remote operation unit. A wireless communication system is, for example, a communication system based on specifications of Bluetooth (registered trademark). The operation instructionrefers to an instruction to remotely operate the device main body. The operation instructionincludes an irradiation start instructionA to cause the device main bodyto start the irradiation with the radiation. As another example, the operation instructionincludes an instruction to start imaging by the optical cameraand/or an instruction to turn off a power of the device main body. The wireless communication unitis hardware that is used to perform wireless communication with the remote operation unitand is a wireless communication interface (I/F). The wireless communication I/F as the wireless communication unitincludes, for example, a communication antenna and a transmission/reception circuit.

Here, although Bluetooth (registered trademark) is illustrated as the wireless communication system between the wireless communication unitand the remote operation unit, the technology of the present disclosure is not limited thereto. As the first system, Zigbee (registered trademark) or infrared communication may be used.

The device main bodycomprises the detection sensor. The detection sensoroutputs a signal corresponding to an attachment/detachment state of the remote operation unit. The signal output from the detection sensoris acquired by the processorvia the external I/F. Details of the detection sensorwill be described below.

Meanwhile, in the radiation irradiation device, in a case where the radiation irradiation deviceis stored in the storage case or is carried to another place while the remote operation unitis not accommodated in the accommodation portion, the remote operation unitmay be lost. Therefore, after using the radiation irradiation device, the user needs to check the attachment/detachment state of the remote operation unitwith respect to the device main body. However, in handling the radiation irradiation device, it is a burden on the user to check the attachment/detachment state of the remote operation unit.

Therefore, in view of such circumstances, in the radiation irradiation deviceaccording to the present embodiment, in the control device, the processorreads out a control programA from the storageand executes the read-out control programA on the RAM. Accordingly, the processoroperates as an acquisition unitA, a detection unitB, and a controllerC.

As shown inas an example, the acquisition unitA acquires a signal output from the detection sensor. In the example shown in, the detection sensoris a magnetic force sensorA. The magnetic force sensorA is a sensor that detects a change in magnetic field, and is provided on a lower surfaceA of the accommodation portionof the device main body. Meanwhile, the remote operation unitis provided with a magnetic bodyC. In a state in which the remote operation unitis accommodated in the accommodation portion, the magnetic bodyC is provided at a position facing the lower surfaceA. Accordingly, the magnetic force sensorA outputs a change in magnetic field caused by the magnetic bodyC accompanying the attachment of the remote operation unitto the device main bodyas a signal to the acquisition unitA.

Although an example of a form in which the detection sensoris provided on the lower surfaceA of the accommodation portionhas been described here, this is merely an example. A position where the detection sensoris installed is not particularly limited as long as it is a position where the attachment and detachment of the remote operation unitcan be detected. In addition, although an example of a form in which the detection sensoris the magnetic force sensorA has been described, this is merely an example. An aspect may be employed in which the detection sensordetects the attachment of the remote operation unitto the accommodation portionby using, for example, an optical sensor such as a photocoupler. Furthermore, an aspect may be employed in which the detection sensoris a mechanical switch such as a microswitch and detects the attachment by the microswitch pressed in a case where the remote operation unitis attached to the accommodation portion.

Furthermore, an aspect may be employed in which the detection sensoris an electrical contact provided in the accommodation portionand detects the attachment by ensuring conduction of the electrical contact in a case where the remote operation unitis attached to the accommodation portion. In addition, an aspect in which the detection sensoris a light receiving sensor, and in a case where the remote operation unitis attached to the accommodation portion, light from an infrared light source provided in the device main bodyis reflected by the remote operation unit, and the light receiving sensor detects the reflected light.

As shown inas an example, it is assumed that the remote operation unitis detached from the device main body. In this case, the detection sensoroutputs a signal corresponding to a state in which the remote operation unitis detached. That is, the detection sensoroutputs attachment/detachment state information. Here, the attachment/detachment state informationincludes information indicating that the remote operation unitis detached. In the example shown in, a current value that is a low value in a state in which the remote operation unitis detached as compared with a current value before the remote operation unitis detached is output as the attachment/detachment state information.

In a state in which the remote operation unitis detached, the user operates a power button. For example, the power buttonis pressed down by a finger C of the user. The power buttonis a button for stopping or starting a function of the radiation irradiation device. In a case where the power buttonis operated, power operation informationis output. The power operation informationis information indicating that an operation of stopping the function of the radiation irradiation deviceis performed. For example, the operation of stopping the function of the radiation irradiation deviceis an operation of turning off the power of the radiation irradiation device.

Although an example of a form in which the power buttonis pressed down as the operation of turning off the power has been described here, this is merely an example. The power buttonmay be cursors, slide switches, or touch pads. In addition, the power buttonmay be a soft key displayed on the display.